Mendeleev
Periodic table · chemistry · physics
Element story

Curium

Atomic number 96 means that every Curium nucleus contains 96 protons. That proton count is the element's identity: change it and you no longer have Curium.

Start with the nucleus

Atomic number 96 means that every Curium nucleus contains 96 protons. That proton count is the element's identity: change it and you no longer have Curium.

Curium (Cm) is chemical element 96. It belongs to the actinoids, and its reference state at room temperature is a solid. Those basic facts are a useful starting point for its chemistry and applications.

In practice, it turns up most often in scientific research and space power systems.

See the atom

Conceptual visual: electron shells are a learning aid, not a literal picture of quantum orbitals.

What this number means

Atomic number 96 means that every Curium nucleus contains 96 protons. That proton count is the element's identity: change it and you no longer have Curium.

Keep exploring

→ Curium · Atomic structure · Periodic trends

96CmCurium
Curium · Cm · Z = 96

Curium (Cm) is chemical element 96. It belongs to the actinoids, and its reference state at room temperature is a solid. Those basic facts are a useful starting point for its chemistry and applications.

Understanding the element

Curium (Cm) is chemical element 96. It belongs to the actinoids, and its reference state at room temperature is a solid. Those basic facts are a useful starting point for its chemistry and applications.

Where do we encounter it?

In practice, it turns up most often in scientific research and space power systems.

What its position in the table tells us

Curium sits in period 7 and the F block. That location is useful because neighbouring elements often share trends in valence electrons, oxidation states and bonding behaviour.